Pheidole in the New World. A dominant, hyperdiverse ant genus.
Author
Wilson, E. O.
text
2003
Harvard University Press
Cambridge, MA
http://atbi.biosci.ohio-state.edu/HymOnline/reference-full.html?id=20017
book
20017
Pheidole sphaerica
new species
Types Mus. Comp. Zool. Harvard.
Etymology Gr
sphaerica
, shaped like a ball, alluding to the head.
Diagnosis A large, spectacularly distinct species whose major has a huge spherical head, proportionately reduced clypeus and mandibles, a mesonotum that drops vertically in side view to the metanotum, and a near-absence of pilosity on the head and mesosoma.
Measurements (mm) Holotype major: HW 1.98, HL 1.92, SL 0.84, EL 0.24, PW 0.90.
color Major: head, appendages, and most of gaster light reddish yellow (light "orange"); mesosoma, waist, and part of gaster medium reddish yellow (medium "orange").
Range Known only from the type locality.
biology Unknown.
Figure Holotype, major. COLOMBIA: St. Augustin, Huila (L. Garling). Scale bar = 1 mm.